Zoology

What makes a good bird name?

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024

I must have been about three years old and had discovered a blackbird nest unusually accessible in our garden hedge.

Key Points: 
  • I must have been about three years old and had discovered a blackbird nest unusually accessible in our garden hedge.
  • I take some small consolation from the likelihood that this encounter helped forge a lifetime of fascination and involvement with birds.
  • In the hope of opening that bridge to all, the American Ornithological Society recently announced it would replace all bird species named after people in North America.
  • The history of bird naming in the British Isles offers some solutions.

It takes a village to name a bird

  • We know of more than 7,000 folk names in English for about 150 species of British bird.
  • For example, the grey heron has 180 recorded English folk names, and the wren 164.
  • Bird names evoke strong emotional connections – potentially linking us not only with specific encounters with birds, but with the context and people who experienced them.
  • It indicates that whoever coined this name recognised that the bird was singing the songs of other, more familiar species – and the namer knew these songs.

Passed down with care

  • Many of the folk names given to other species were probably coined by or for children.
  • Names like “scribble-lark” and “scribbling schoolmaster” for bunting species, whose eggs appear to have been written on, suggests (as do many more such names) a fascination with nests and eggs.
  • We know, however, that despite the plethora of local names, they were handed down from generation to generation with great precision.
  • These names were largely collected by ornithologists like Little, who wanted to know what birds were present throughout the British Isles.
  • But they were agreed through consent with no intention, as evidenced through numerous bird books of the time, of these superseding or replacing the local names.
  • It can only be hoped that renaming birds after their own qualities will help to open the wonder and love of birds to all people.


Andrew Gosler has received funding from the UK's Arts and Humanities Research Council.

'Foul and loathsome’ or jewels of the natural world? The complicated history of human-frog relations

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 30, 2023

Perhaps you came across one in your garden and wondered at its little hands, glossy skin and what looked very much like a contented smile.

Key Points: 
  • Perhaps you came across one in your garden and wondered at its little hands, glossy skin and what looked very much like a contented smile.
  • As our research has found, the history of human-frog relations is long and complicated – and not all of it is nice.

Why we love frogs

  • There is a rich history of people really loving frogs.
  • This is interesting, because many people much prefer mammals and birds over reptiles and amphibians.
  • Frogs are truly among the jewels of the natural world, unlike toads which – with their more mundane colours and “warty skins” – do not usually inspire the same sense of enchantment.

Dissecting human feelings for frogs


Yet relationships between people and frogs haven’t always been so positive. In fact, frogs occupy complicated places across cultures all over the world. In the Western tradition, the legacy of biblical and classical sources was both negative and longstanding. References to frogs in the Bible rendered them the instrument of divine anger as a swarming plague.

  • Frogs challenged early modern zoological taxonomies, moving between classification as serpent, insect or reptile.
  • In modern science, they sit in a branch of zoology, herpetology, that brings frogs together as “creeping animals” with snakes and lizards.
  • Italian scientist Luigi Galvani, for example, did experiments in the late 18th century on legs of frogs to investigate what he thought of as “animal electricity”.
  • In time, experiments with frogs moved beyond the laboratory into the classroom.
  • In the 1930s, schoolchildren were expected to find frogs and bring them to school for dissection in biology classes.

Recognising the fragility of frogs

  • From the frogs of Aesop’s Fables to the meme Pepe the Frog, we have projected our own feelings and frustrations onto frogs, and exploited them for science and education.
  • Frogs have also borne the brunt of our failures as environmental stewards.
  • In 2022, over 40% of amphibian species (of which frogs and toads are by far the largest group) were threatened with extinction.


Susan Broomhall receives funding from the Australian Research Council. Andrea Gaynor receives funding from the Australian Research Council. Andy Flack does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Spectroscopy Announces the Acquisition of Spectroscopy Europe and Spectroscopy World

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 28, 2023

CRANBURY, N.J., Nov. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MJH Life Sciences® and Spectroscopy® are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Spectroscopy Europe and Spectroscopy World , two leading digital magazines for experts in the analytical sciences.

Key Points: 
  • CRANBURY, N.J., Nov. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MJH Life Sciences® and Spectroscopy® are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Spectroscopy Europe and Spectroscopy World , two leading digital magazines for experts in the analytical sciences.
  • The merger of the publications will expand Spectroscopy’s mission to provide valuable, practical and leading-edge information to the spectroscopy community.
  • Under the direction of Editor and Publisher Ian Michael, Spectroscopy Europe, and Spectroscopy World, have been writing about the latest trends in analytical sciences since 1975.
  • He served as an editor for John Wiley & Sons before founding IM Publications, the parent company of Spectroscopy Europe and Spectroscopy World.

Maxx Orthopedics Expands Leadership Team with Ross Chamberlain as Vice President of Business Development

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 29, 2023

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. , Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Maxx Orthopedics, Inc., a rapidly expanding global orthopedics device company, recently appointed Ross Chamberlain as Vice President of Business Development. In this role, Mr. Chamberlain will help advance our organizational partnerships and identify new opportunities that will accelerate our company growth.

Key Points: 
  • Maxx Orthopedics recently appointed Ross Chamberlain as Vice President of Business Development.
  • KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. , Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Maxx Orthopedics, Inc., a rapidly expanding global orthopedics device company, recently appointed Ross Chamberlain as Vice President of Business Development.
  • He is an excellent choice to lead business development at Maxx Orthopedics," says Farzin Khaghani, CCO of Maxx Orthopedics.
  • He is an excellent choice to lead business development at Maxx Orthopedics," says Farzin Khaghani, CCO of Maxx Orthopedics.

Do you like snakes, lizards and frogs? Why herpetology might be the career for you

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

For me, some of the most fascinating are reptiles and amphibians.

Key Points: 
  • For me, some of the most fascinating are reptiles and amphibians.
  • Collectively called herpetofauna, reptiles and amphibians are ectotherms; they rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature.
  • I didn’t even know you could make a career out of working with reptiles.

Learning about snakes

  • There are over 4,000 species of snakes around the world.
  • Some snakes, like puff adders, are scentless as a way to camouflage themselves from predators.
  • Others, like southern African pythons, show maternal care, which is very unusual for snakes and much more common in mammals and birds.
  • Read more:
    The ultimate in stealth, puff adders employ camouflage at every level

    These unique adaptations have allowed snakes to thrive in different environments.

My research

  • I completed my MSc in 2017 and my research focused on the evolution of diet in a group of snakes called lamprophiids.
  • For my PhD, I wanted my research to have a real-world application, so I waited until 2021 to start after getting some work experience in conservation.
  • I am also fortunate to work for a non-profit organisation, Save The Snakes, which allows me to educate people about snakes and do my part to conserve them by applying my research.

The circle of life

  • Learning about the world of snakes has allowed me to appreciate the natural world in a unique way.
  • As predators and prey, snakes are an emblem of the circle of life.
  • One of my favourite activities is going out at night looking for them (called “herping”) and watching them display different behaviours.


Hiral Naik has received funding from the National Research Foundation. She is affiliated with Save The Snakes.

FrontRunnerHC Brings on Dr. Mark Hiatt as Chief Medical Officer and VP of Clinical Applications

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 11, 2023

PLYMOUTH, Mass., Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FrontRunnerHC, a technology provider that helps labs and healthcare organizations instantly access the information needed to maximize reimbursements and enhance their patients' experience, has announced that Mark Hiatt, MD, MBA, MS is its new chief medical officer and vice president of clinical applications. 

Key Points: 
  • Hiatt, who has served as chief medical officer for a national medical benefits manager, a biotechnology research company, and an accreditation body, said that joining FrontRunnerHC was the natural next step in his career evolution.
  • Hiatt noted, "I've been passionate about making an impact in healthcare all my life.
  • Being part of the FrontRunnerHC team gives me a direct opportunity to influence the development of the tools necessary to move the industry forward."
  • Roughly 14 billion clinical lab tests occur in the United States each year, informing about 70% of medical decisions.

North Carolina State University Student Receives SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 25, 2023

CHICAGO, Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The SBB Research Group Foundation named Christal Mae Concepcion Dita a recipient of its STEM scholarship. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The SBB Research Group Foundation named Christal Mae Concepcion Dita a recipient of its STEM scholarship.
  • Christal Dita, a junior, studies Biotechnology and Zoology at North Carolina State University.
  • Previously, Dita worked alongside Ph.D. students at the Peng Lab at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine to investigate how genetic variations affect immunity.
  • "Christal is a dedicated and impressive young scientist, and we are thrilled to support her work with this scholarship," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation.

Virscio Announces Hiring of Sven Korte, Ph.D. as Senior Director of Research and Safety Assessment

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Virscio, a leading provider of translational research and development services, has announced the appointment of Sven Korte, Ph.D. and board-certified toxicologist, as Senior Director of Research and Safety Assessment.

Key Points: 
  • Virscio, a leading provider of translational research and development services, has announced the appointment of Sven Korte, Ph.D. and board-certified toxicologist, as Senior Director of Research and Safety Assessment.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801361692/en/
    Virscio announces the hiring of Dr. Sven Korte as Senior Director of Research and Safety Assessment (Photo: Business Wire)
    Dr. Korte’s appointment comes at a time of expanding demand for translational research capabilities to address the accelerating needs of precision medicine and novel therapeutic modalities.
  • Prior to joining Virscio, Dr. Korte spent 25 years as a Senior Study Director LabCorp’s Early Development Services group, based in Münster, Germany.
  • "I believe that Virscio's multidisciplinary approach, cutting-edge technologies, and strong focus on safety assessment position it at the forefront of the industry.

UNRAVELING THE LOCH NESS MONSTER'S EEL CONNECTION

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 24, 2023

TORONTO, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new study published in JMIRx Bio, one of JMIR Publications' new overlay journals, scientist Floe Foxon explores whether the Loch Ness Monster, a creature in Scottish folklore, could be a giant eel. Using previous estimates of the monster's size to predict the probability of encountering a large eel of a similar size, the study found that giant eels could not account for sightings of larger animals in Loch Ness, a freshwater lake in the Scottish Highlands.

Key Points: 
  • For decades, speculations about the Loch Ness Monster have captivated the world's imagination, with some suggesting that giant eels may be responsible for many sightings.
  • The study used catch data from Loch Ness and other freshwater bodies in Europe to predict the likelihood of observing eels as large as previous estimates of the Loch Ness Monster's size.
  • The chances of encountering a 1-meter eel in Loch Ness, according to the study, are approximately 1 in 50,000, which could explain some sightings of smaller unknown creatures.
  • Foxon F, The Loch Ness Monster: If It's Real, Could It Be an Eel?

Turtles on the tarmac could delay flights at Western Sydney airport

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 3, 2023

Amid the controversy surrounding preliminary flight paths for Western Sydney’s new airport, another potential challenge is looming: turtles on the tarmac.

Key Points: 
  • Amid the controversy surrounding preliminary flight paths for Western Sydney’s new airport, another potential challenge is looming: turtles on the tarmac.
  • In recent years, a freshwater turtle was found wandering around Sydney Airport, which is built on Botany Bay.
  • And at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, employees carried 1,300 turtles off the tarmac in one nesting season alone.
  • Read more:
    Our turtle program shows citizen science isn't just great for data, it makes science feel personal

Western Sydney airport is turtle nesting habitat

    • And data collected through the 1 Million Turtles citizen science tool TurtleSAT reveals Western Sydney is a roadkill hotspot.
    • Wetlands, including the area around the new airport at Badgerys Creek, serve as prime nesting habitat.
    • A spokesperson for Western Sydney airport, contacted for comment on this story, said all of the required wildlife and risk management procedures would be in place when the airport opens in late 2026.
    • She said the turtle habitat was well outside of the airport site, so the risk of turtles on the runway was negligible.

Turtles at the crossroads

    • Turtles are often little more than an afterthought in hectic construction plans and timetables.
    • While groups such as Turtle Rescue NSW can relocate wildlife such as turtles, eels and fish, many animals die when streams and wetlands are drained and filled during development.
    • This is important to ensure the long-term survival of turtles in the region.

It’s not too late for Western Sydney’s turtles

    • The likely presence of turtles on runways at Western Sydney’s new airport warrants immediate attention.
    • We acknowledge the vital contribution of Western Sydney University masters student Harriet Gabites to research on the turtles of Western Sydney and this article.
    • James Van Dyke receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Australian Federal Citizen Science program.